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I’ve Been A Bad, Bad Blogger (Pictures, Long)

It seems that blogging once or twice a month is going to be par for the course for me, which makes me kind of sad. I still read everyone’s blogs, but when I sit down to blog myself, I just kind of get overwhelmed with a sense of non-motivation and non-inspiration. I’ve been working a lot–a ten hour day is pretty much the norm these days (except today was pleasantly slow and I got out on time), and we’re short handed, with people out for the holidays. It’s tiring, but the money is good. And tomorrow I get a half day off, I am off Friday-Monday, and Tuesday I get another half day off. I’m looking forward to all the resting and the extra time with Aidan!

Lots of stuff happened since I last made a *real* update. I’ve fallen out of my yoga practice, which I am regretting. I REALLY want need to get back into it ASAP. I can’t wait until the work hours lessen so I can do so. Just walking into the studio is good for me. I attended WindyCon, and got to see S.J. Tucker perform (and also bask in some s00j love). I also met some new friends there and heard some good music.

A Pretty Pixie

And oh! Check out the hair fall I made!

My First Hairfall

I’m working on a mate for it so I can have two ponytails, but I need to find my materials. I’ve misplaced them. Hmm.

Yeah, that’s a bad thing about working so much. I can’t find anything. I make huge messes that I have no time to clean up, and I get overwhelmed with the lack of free time to do much besides bathe and sleep (hence the lack of blogging/updates). I also didn’t get to go around and take pictures of the Christmas trees, visit Chriskindlmarket, or see the big tree in the Walnut Room at Macy’s. No time, or just too freaking cold to go out. Thank GOD for Amazon Prime. I did a lot of my shopping online this year. It’s fun getting packages!

Aidan arrived December 17th. It was really cold, his flight was delayed but we didn’t care. We decorated the tree as soon as we got home!

O Christmas Tree 2010

The next day, I’d planned on just staying in all day, but I decided we should pop into the Moksha Yoga holiday party. I am so glad I went. I got loads of hugs, and all three of us attended an acroyoga workshop. Check out Aidan flying!

Aidan Flies!

Anywhere Is turned ten at the end of November. I’ve had my domain for ten years, y’all. I used to have a huge following. Not so much anymore. The site has seen its share of drama, slow times, layout changes, and migrations from blogger to greymatter to b2 to wordpress. I was around in the heyday of the Internet Girl World, and I’m one of the few who is still hanging around, and hanging on.

I remember the trends back then. All sites had a basic format: Me, You, WWW, Site. Under all of those links there were tons of stuff to explore, if the site was good. Cliques, cjb.net, pixels, woogoo, being “hosted” (I remember how awesome it felt when Dara asked me if I wanted to be hosted!), UBBs, gbook.nu, virtue.nu, banners, link buttons, blinkies… tons and tons of things! I can’t believe how much the Internet world has changed and simplified!

Moving on from that trip down memory lane, I HAD A REALLY AWESOME CHRISTMAS. We began celebrating December 21st, on the Solstice. We opened our presents to each other and watched Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol. It was REALLY NICE to be able to spoil people like I’d wanted to for years. And Adam got me a really pretty Tiffany necklace! πŸ™‚

After a couple more nights of opening presents and eating Ivy’s delicious cookies, we set out for Ohio just before 5am on the 24th. Thank God we had clear weather. Even though the car needed a $323 repair during our travels, I was less concerned with the cost and more concerned with getting the thing fixed so we could make it to our destination. And we did! We went to Columbus first to drop Aidan off at his dad’s, then to Aurora to spend the holiday with my mom. My sister, who I hadn’t seen in years, was there! The food was excellent, my mom LOVED the record player I got her, and Chris surprised us by bringing Aidan up Christmas night instead of waiting until December 26th. There was also a Doctor Who marathon on BBC America, and I got to see Doctor Who at the Proms. Awesome.

My Mom's Gorgeous Tree! My Sister Leah
Christmas Dinner

I had an OK birthday. It started off great, but I ended up working late and I got a migraine. Still, I got a couple of cool gifts and they threw a small party for me at work. It could have been worse, so no real complaints. Plus, Aidan is here, so who cares about everything else!

Thanksgiving was weird. Adam and I usually have Jeff and Deborah over, but this year, they wanted us to go to their place. It turned out to be a relief because I was just too exhausted to clean or prepare for guests. I’d worked so much that week, plus I hadn’t been feeling well at the beginning of the week, so it was rough. It was nice to go and relax, eat, hang with friends, and watch Doctor Who. πŸ™‚

Aidan turns eight in two days! I know, right? Last night, Adam and I surprised him with a trip to the LEGO store, where he made three LEGO guys for 9.99, and I got him a LEGO City sports car that was only $5. He’s obsessed with LEGOs and video games, and drawing.

Aidan and the LEGO Woody

I’d better wrap this up. I’ll try to find time to do the end-of-the-year review. I get four days off, plus a half-day off tomorrow (apparently, I have accrued .50 days of PTO that I HAVE to use before the end of the year–I tell you what, it can’t be every day that your boss calls you and says “I need you to take half a day off this week so you won’t lose your PTO”–so I’ll be using that tomorrow. Yea!), and I am taking 1/2 day off Tuesday. So looking forward to the time to relax and be with my family.

Life is good.

Til next time! πŸ™‚

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My Geek, It SQUEES!

Just watched the newest episode of Doctor Who.

IT’S AWESOME.

Wow, it’s awesome.

I’m a fairly new Doctor Who fan, having started watching them with the 9th doctor, played by Christopher Eccleston. But it was David Tennant’s doctor who cinched my love of the show because he was an amazing doctor (and he will aways be MY doctor). I don’t have much interest in the old series, although I do try to watch them. I should watch the fourth doctor, seeing as everyone seems to love him so much. And he has an awesome scarf.

Anyway, this new doctor has grown on me and quickly. And the new companion? Super cool. All the previews did her no justice. I’m so excited for this season of Doctor Who. New TARDIS. New sonic screwdriver. And some old “friends” to make things interesting.

Squeee!

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:) (Picture)

I’ve wanted an American Girl doll for years and years. I live in Chicago, where we have a store called American Girl Place, so I can go in there and see the dolls up close and in person anytime I want. I’ve been secretly going into this store and drooling over the dolls and the cute outfits. Today, I finally got one!

Newest Family Member

She’s one of the “Just Like Me” dolls, and she’s the closest one to me I’ll ever find. I brought her home with me today, and named her Riley. She wears glasses like I do, but the camera glare isn’t friendly to them. So, like me, she photographs without glasses. :)

I’m so excited. I haven’t bought a doll for myself in years!

(Originally published at Anywhere Is…)

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Working Girl

Tomorrow, I start freelance proofreading for Ogilvy, an ad agency. It was just one of those things–walking in for the interview, I felt like I belonged there. The commute is easy, the place is neat, they supply ICE CREAM, there are game tables and updated software and computers, and I can wear jeans and listen to headphones while I work.

But best of all, I get to do what I love!

I have never been so excited about starting a new position before.

YAY!!!

(Originally published at Anywhere Is…)

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Loving California

I love California! I’m having a great time, and even though I’m looking forward to sleeping in my own bed and seeing my kitties, I’m NOT looking forward to leaving high 70 degree temps and sunny skies and returning to the TEENS and snow and ice. Ugh. Anyway, I will be posting a trip report and pictures soon. :)

‘Til next time!

(Originally published at Anywhere Is…)

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